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In November 1852, President Millard Fillmore sent Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan to try and open Japan to the West and to try and establish trade with Japan.
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On July 8th, 1853. Commodore Matthew Perry and his fleet arrived at the Japanese capital, Edo, and they made demands. He wanted Japan to open their ports and he wanted to trade. Japan denied his requests, and they told him to come back later.
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In February of 1854, Commodore Matthew Perry returned to Japan for the second time. He returned with 7 ships and 1,600 men. Him coming back a second time led to intense negotiations between Japan and the United States about the effects of trade.
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On March 31st, 1854, the Japanese agreed to sign the Treaty of Kanagawa. This opened Japan to the Western world. The Treaty of Kanagawa opened Japanese ports to the United States, established trade between Japan and the United States, and it brought Japan out of isolation.
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In 1855, Commodore Matthew Perry returned to the United States, having done his job.